676 to release her first Tongan Album this Spring!

676 to release her first Tongan Album this Spring!

“I have been wanting to record an album like this for a long time and finally it’s coming true” says Neti Taumoepeau of 676. Her first full-length Tongan album is set to be released this Spring with all proceeds from the record sales to be donated to the Tongan Red Cross.

676’s Tongan album pays homage to some of the most influential and universally respected musicians and song writers from her homeland of Tonga, among them are the late Queen Salote Tupou III, Tu’imala, and many more. “It was very important for me to keep to the authentic traditional Tongan sound and lyrics while recording this album as a way to show respect for these amazing music artists who transformed Tongan music into a form of poetry and art” says Taumoepeau.

Download Mo’ui Honge Ifo (right click and choose save link as)

Mo’ui Honge Ifo-

With the release of her first Tongan single “Mo’ui Honge Ifo” Taumoepeau hopes to expose a new generation of Tongans (especially those who live outside of Tonga) to the richness of Tongan music and the poetic nature of its lyrics. For Taumoepeau, who was born and raised in the United States, recording this album takes on a different level of commitment; it is both a gesture of love and pride for her Tongan roots, but also an intense wave of determination for herself, who grew up speaking mostly English, “recording this album gives me a deeper appreciation for this ancestral treasure, that we often take for granted, our Tongan language!”

676 is also working on a more mainstream, full-fledged English-language album which she plans to release later this year.

~Planet Tonga sits down for a one-on-one interview with 676~

PT: What made you decide to do a Tongan album at this time in your music career?

676: I have always loved Tongan music. I grew up surrounded by it because my parents were always listening to it. I promised myself that one day I would record a Tonga album, but I didn’t want to remake a Tongan song and add English lyrics or throw in a reggae beat, but rather I just wanted to keep to how it was written and how it was traditionally put to music. I really wanted to respect the composer’s original song writing and music compositions. Recently, I was fortunate enough to return home to Tonga to visit relatives which reinforced in me the desire to record this album. This album is a nice reminder of the rich heritage that we share as Tongan people regardless of where we live.

[Back: Fine Langi, Ma’u Kakala]
[Front: Veni Kei’aho, Neti Taumoepeau, Vili Muli]

PT: You have decided to donate all proceeds from the sales of this CD to the Tongan Red Cross, what prompted you to do this?

676: You can’t go and visit Tonga and not want to give back, at least for myself, I have always wanted to do something positive and to give back in whatever way I can. As a music artist, I felt that if I was ever to record a Tongan album, it would be to show gratitude and respect for those who have written and composed the music, and because of that, it only make sense that what I earn from it be given back to the Tongan people. There are a lot of different organizations that I could give to, but I wanted to go with something that is often neglected but yet so very important, which is healthcare, and so I felt that donating to the Tongan Red Cross would be a great way to give back. I know that it’s not much, but it’s what I am able to do now and hopefully I can continue to give back to my Tongan community in the future.

PT: Talk to us about the significance of your choice of having “Mo’ui Honge Ifo” as your first single to be released from your upcoming Tongan album?

676: I came to know this song through my parents. They love this song and would spend hours listening to it. I believe that many others have referred to the title of this song as “Ma’ili he Matangi” but when my parents told me that this song has also been called “Mo’ui Honge Ifo”, I fell in love with the title. The song, as many know, is a love song. It can be interpreted in many ways, but basically it’s a about someone lamenting the loss of a loved one. The phrase “Mo’ui Honge Ifo” is so deep that it’s difficult to translate it literally into English, but it captures the feelings of despair, loneliness, and emptiness one goes through when you lose a loved one. It speaks of one’s constant yearning to someday again reunite with that person, that place, that thing that has occupied a space in your heart. For me personally, this song is also about my longing to always remain connected to my Tongan culture, my Tongan heritage and my Tongan roots!

PT: You have chosen to record this album with a traditional Tongan band, the Kolokakala band, why was this important to you?

676: When I decided that I was ready to record this album, I knew that we would have to use a traditional Tongan band in order to keep it traditional. My first choice was the Kolokakala band because no one can play and sing traditional Tongan music like a Tongan faikava band! The Kolokakala band is extremely talented and I am honored to have them be part of this album!

PT: Is it true that you are also recording a more mainstream English album to be released later this year?

676: Yes, I am working on both albums simultaneously. It’s a lot of work, but I know it will be worth it!

Myspace Link - http://www.myspace.com/six7six

Please check back frequently for the release date of 676’s upcoming Tongan album and also for information of where you can purchase the album!